Ironing-machine.



F. C. WENDELL, DECD. T. s. WENDELL, ADMINISTRATRIX.

IRONING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. I913- Patented July 4, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- Cl i 76 wi timeo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED c. WENDELL, DECEASED, BY THERESA s. WENDELL, anmmrs'raa'rmx, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IRONING-MACHINE.

Application filed February 17,1913. Serial No. 748,941.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that FRED C. WENDELL, late a citizen of the United States, deceased, did invent certain new and useful Improvements in. Ironing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ironing machines wherein a heated drum combined with pressure rollers and an apron are used for feeding moist fabrics around the drum and pressing them around its periphery, and the invention is an improvement on the ironing machine of my pending application Serial No. 745,701, filed Feb. 1, 1913.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an efficient and improved ironing machine.

Another object is to provide improved means for driving the ironing machine,

whereby smoother and more accurate running of its cooperating parts, resulting in finer grade of ironing work, is effected.

A further object is to provide improved means for maintaining a uniform pressure of the pressure-rollers against the drum.

A still further object is to provide improved means for shifting the pressure-rollers and maintain them shifted away from the drum, when the machine is not used, and

for restoring said rollers in contact with the drum.

A still further object is to provide improved means for feeding the fabrics to the machine, whereby accidents to operators are prevented.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a general side eleyation of'the ironing machine. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line mw ofFig. 1, showing the driving mechanism of the pressure rollers. Fig. 3 is a general elevation of the opposite side of the machine, and shows the -mechanism for shifting the pressure-rollers and the safety feeding devices for the machine. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the piston and cylinder for the pressure-rollers and'the. link mechanism for shifting said rollers.

A hollow steel cylinder or ironing drum 1 is rotatably mounted on the machlne frame 2, by its hollow journals 3 running in bearings 41 secured to said frame, and a similar oppositely revolving secondary drum'5 is rotatably mounted immediately below the drum 1, by its journals 6 running in bearings 7 on said frame, Said drums are disposed horizontally in the machine and par: allelly of each other, and steam. is admitted Patented July 4, 1916.

within the drums through the hollow journals 3 and 6, whereby the drum peripheries are heatedand rendered suitable for ironing.

An endless apron 8 passing under the drum 1 is in rolling contact with its periphery at the lower side thereof, and extends therefrom over a drive-roll 9, diagonally downwardly from said roll toward the drum 5, under anidle-roll 10, over a guide-roll 11, around idlers 12, 13, under a slack-roll 14, over an idler 15, and back to the drum. Under the drum 5 passes an endless apron 16 which partly encircles it'in rolling contact with its periphery, and extends therefromover an idle-roll 17, from there over and around a drive-roll 18, thence over an idler 19, under a slack-roll 20, around idlers 21,

22, over a guide-roll 23, under an idler 24:,

diagonally upward and around an idler 25,

to an idler 26, and back to the drum. All of said rolls are provided with suitablebearings secured to the machine frame 2. The

portion of the apron 16 from roll 25 to roll I 26 is approximately parallel to the portion of the apron 8 from roll ,9 to roll 10, and at the roll 9 the apron 16 is in rolling contact with the apron 8, soth-at said aprons run together toward the drum 5, due to the aprons running in opposite directions.

Pressure-rollers 28. preferably five in number, cooperate with the periphery of drum l upon the upper side thereof for pressing fabrics thereagainst.- and a feedapron 29 providedat the feeding side 30 of the machine, slopes diagonally upwardto ward the first of said pressure-rollers 28, and conveys the fabric thereto. Said feedapron passes around a board 31, the sharp edge 32 of which is disposed between the pressure roller 28 and the periphery of the drum 1, and it extends around and: is driven by a roll 33, mounted upon the machineframe 2.

One of the journals 6 constitutes the drive-shaft of the machine and the drum 5 is thereby driven in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1. A bevel gear 34 keyed on journal 6 meshes with a gear 35 fixed on a shaft 30 held in bearings 37 of brackets 37 extending from the frame 2, and a gear 38 fixed to the opposite end of the shaft meshes with a bevel gear 39, keyed on journal 3, which is similar to gear 34, whereby the drum 1 is rotated in an opposite direction to the drum 5 and at the same speed. A shaft i0 mounted in bearings 41 is driven by a gear 42 thereon n'ieshing with gear 39, and a gear 43 fixed on said shaft meshes with a gear stat on the drive-roll 9 whereby the apron 8 is driven. A shaft 4-5 running in bearings -16 is driven by a gear 47 theren meshing with gear 34, and a bevel gear in fixed to the shaft meshes with a gear 49 on the drive roll 18, which drives the apron. 1G. The feed-apron 2) is driven by its drive roll having a bevel gear 50 in mesh with a gear 51 of a shaft 52, running in bearings 53, which is rotated by a gear 54: thereon meshing with gear 34.

Gears 55. Figs. 1 and 39 are fixed on hollow radially of the drum 1 and held in bearings 57 formed on arms 58 extending from the frame 2; and shafts 59 fitting slidably within the shafts 5G and constituting extensible continuations of the shafts 56 are rotated.

2, in mesh with gear shafts 56 extending thereby by means of keys and keyways at 60. Shafts 59 run in bearings (31 forming part of arms 62 carried upon the journals 63 of the pressure-rollers 28, and ,bevel gears 6% fixed on shafts 59 mesh with gears 65 on the journals 68 whereby said rollers are rotated.

The moist fabric to be ironed is fed to the machine by the apron 29 and passes between the first pressure roller 28 and the periphery of the drum. It is then carried around the drum 1, in contact with its hotsurface, under the successive pressurerollers Q8 and between the endless apron 8 and the drum, during which course the fabric is thoroughly ironed on one side. From the drum 1 the fabric is carried over the roll 9 and between the apron portions 8 and 16" of the aprons 8 and 16 to the secondary drum In its passage over the roll 9 and tl'irough the apron portions 8 16 the fabric is reversed. so that its opposite side is presented to the hot surface of the drum 5, and being held pressingly thereto by the apron 16 running in. rolling contact therewith the fabric istl'ioroughly ironed upon its opposite side while carried around this drum. Upon leaving the drum 5, the fabric is conveyed by the upwardly inclined portion 16 of the apron 1'6 over the roll 18, where it is deposited in finished condition upon a delivery table 66 fixed to brackets 67 extend-- ing from the frame 2 30 of the machine.

A. dofl'er roller 68 held on arms 69 mounted on the roll 17 runs in rolling contact with the drum 5 and thereby prevents accidental climbing or sticking of fabrics upon its periphery. A similar doifer roller 70 runs on the drum 1 above the roll 9 and serves a similar purpose thereat.

The slack rolls 1% and 120 having bearings 71 slidable on guide-rods 72 fixed to frame 2 weigh down upon the aprons 8 and 16, whereby they are maintained taut while the machine is in operation and the required pressure of said aprons against the drums 1 and 5 is effected.

The journals 63 of the pressure-rollers 28 are mounted in bearings 73, Figs. 2 and -l. which are slidable in guiding ways 74 of guides 75. forming part of the frame 2, that extend radially from the center of drum 1. Steam cylinders 76 are secured. to said guides. a t each end of the pressure roller by means of a flange 77 of the cylinder being bolted thereto. and pistons 78 cooperating with the cylinders have their piston-rods 79 secured to the bearings 73, by means of heads 80 of said rods fitting in jaws 81 on said bearings. A plug 82 threading into the top of the cylinder serves as a cylinderhead, and offers a convenient means of as sembling during construction.

When the machine is in operation during ironing. steam is admitted into the cylinder 76 through the port 83 from the main steam line in the building. and a required pressure thus maintained above the piston 78 and transmitted to the bearings 73 of the rollers 28. whereby absolutely uniform pressure of said rollers against the drum and intervening fabrics is maintained at all times and under all conditions, which is conducive to an even and fine grade of ironing work.

In order to maintain a constantly uniform steam-pressure upon the pistons so that the resultant uniform pressure of the rollers against the fabrics is of a non-varying force, the pistons are so proportioned that they require less pressure per square inch than that usually carried by the main steam line of the building, and an equalizing and reducing valve (not shown) is interposed between said line and pistons. Any fluctuation of pressure in the main line does not therefore affect the total pressure upon the pistons and rollers, and the force exerted by the rollers is consequently maintained uniform.

ll hen the machineis not used,.it is neces sary to shift and maintain the pressure-rot lers 28 out of contact with the drum 1 for the preservation of their felt peripheries. For this purpose a series of link-sets, Fig. 3, is provided on each end of said rollers, of which one link at is pivoted to the rolleropposite the feed side journal 63, and another link 85 pivoted to 86 has its opposite end piv-- the frame .2 at oted to link 84: at 87 Links 88 connect the series of link sets, and links 89 joined to the link-sets of roller 28, at each side of the machine, have their opposite ends 90 pivoted to cranks 91 fixed upon a rock-shaft 92, which is mounted on frame 2 and extends the entire length of the machine. A steam cylinder 93 is fixed to frame 2 and a piston 91 therein has its piston-rod 95 connected to one of the cranks 91, so that when steam is admitted for an interval into the cylinder through port 96, after the steam in cylinders 76 is exhausted, the entire train of link-sets is drawn to the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby all of the rollers 28 are shifted away from the drum 1. The link-pivot at 87 is drawn past the straight line from the center of the roller to the pivot center at 86, and the link 85 abuts against a pin 97 fixed to frame 2, which causes the rollers to be locked in shifted position, Fig. 4, and to be maintained away from the drum while the links are thus set.

To restore the pressure-rollers 28 in pressed contact with the drum, steam is admitted for an interval into the opposite end of the cylinder 93 through port 98 and the links are thereby actuated and thrown to their normal position, Fig. 3, after which steam is admitted to the cylinders 76 to apply pressure upon the rollers. A small opening 99 is provided in cylinder 76 below the piston, so that the air is admitted to the cylinder thereat and dperates to cushion the piston when the roller is returned to the drum, whereby its fall is retarded and too sudden a throw thereof prevented. If desired, a small opening 100 may be provided at the end 101 of the cylinder 93 which will cushion the piston 9 f and thereby retard the return movement of the links to gently re turn all the rollers 28 to the drum.

Each of the links 84 has an elongated hole or slot 84?- for the pivot joint at 87 which allows the roller 28 to rise, contrary to its pressure, when an immoderatelythick fabric passes thereunder, without affecting the remaining links of the train.

It will be evident that while the rollers I are shifted, when actuated by the pis on 94 or by fabrics pressing thereunder, the gears 4 and remain in mesh, due to the extensibility of the shafts connecting gears 64 and 55.

In front of the apron 29 is provided a table 102, secured to the frame 2, which partially extends over the upper feed surface of said apron. A feed-roll 103 is mounted on arms 104 pivoted to cranks 105 fixed to the journals 63 of pressure-roller 28*, whereby the cranks are revolved and said roll caused to reciprocate, forwardly away from the apron and backwardly, over a portion of said table and a portion of said apron. When traveling away from the apron said roll is rotated by contact with said apron and table, but upon the backward stroke of said roll over the table portion rotation thereof is prevented by a spring-pressed side of the machine below the table 102.-

lVhen ironing, the operator spreads the fabric flat and places it upon the table 102, the surface of which is preferably polished, just before the commencement of the forward stroke of the feed-roll 103. Said rollthen passes over the fabric, and being arrested against rotation upon its return stroke it grips the fabric and draws it over upon the apron 29 where it cotiperates therewith to feed the fabric into themachine. The fabrics being placed successively upon said table are thus taken up by the feed-roll and transferred to the apron, so that the operators hands are never required to come in contact with the apron; and accidents,

usually due to the hand getting caught by the moving apron between the drum and pressure-roller, are thereby prevented.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without other.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In an ironing machine, the combination with a drum, and a plurality of pressure rollers, of mechanism connecting said rollers for moving all of the rollers simultaneously away from and toward said drum, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said mechanism, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston to actuate said mechanism to shift all of said rollers simultaneously away from the drum and to simultaneously restore the rollers to said drum, and means to retard the return movement of said rollers when restored to said drum. I

2. In an ironing-machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers,

of links for each of said rollers joining it incense ter gears, bevel gears carried on said rollers, bevel gears meshing with said roller gears, and shafts on said last gears slidable longitudinally within said hollow shafts being driven by the hollow shafts to drive said roller gears and rollers.

i. In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of a pair of links for each of each end of the machine pivoted to each other, one of each pair of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted to the frame, links joining said pairs, a rock-shaft on said frame, cranks on said rock-shaft, said cranks connected to said links, a fixed cylinder, a piston therein, a piston rod connected to said cranks to actuate said rockshaft, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston to actuate said links to shift said rollers and maintain them shifted away from said drum, means to reverse the pressure on said piston to actuate said links oppositely to restore said rollers to said drum, and said links having their joints yielding to allow said rollers to be pressed away partially from said drum While under pressure.

5. In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure'rollers, of a pair of links for each of said rollers pivoted to each other, one of each pair of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted to said frame, links joining said pairs, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, and means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston to set said links to maintain said rollers away from said drum and to actuate said links to restore said rollers to the drum.

6. In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and a plurality of pressure rollers, of links for each of said rollers joining it to said frame, links j oininp; said former links, said links adaptable to be set in position to maintain said rollers away from said drum, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, and means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston for setting said links to move all of said rollers simultaneously to maintained position away from. the drum.

7 In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of a pair of links for each of said rollers pivoted to each other, one of each pair of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted to said frame, links joining said pairs, and means to actuate said links to move said rollers away from and toward said drum.

8, In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of links for each of said rollers pivoted thereto and joined to said frame, links joining said former links, said. links adaptsaid rollers at able to be set to maintain said rollers away from said drum, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston for settingsaid links, and means to reverse the pressure on said piston to actuate said links to return said rollers to said drum.

9. In an ironing machine, the combination With a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of a pair of links for each of said rollers pivoted to each other, one of each pair of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted to said frame, links joining said pairs, said links adaptable to be set to maintain said rollers away from said drum, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston to set said links, means to reverse the pressure on said piston to actuate said links to return said rollers to said drum, and means to retard the return movement of the rollers.

10. in an ironing machine, the combination. with. a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of a pair of links for each of said rollers pivoted to each other, one of each of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted. to said frame, links joining said pairs, said links adaptable to be set to maintain said rollers away from said drum, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston for setting said links, means to reverse the pressure on said piston to re turn said rollers to said drum, and air cushinning means for each of said rollers to retard said return movement of the rollers.

11. in an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of links for each of said rollers joining it to said frame, links joining said former links, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links, and means to admit fluid under pressure to said. piston to actuate said links to move said rollers away from said drum,

12. In an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure rollers, of links for each of said rollers joining it to said frame, links oining said former links, a cylinder, a piston. therein connected to said links, means to admit fluid under pressure to said piston to actuate said links to move said rollers away from and to- Ward joints yielding to allow any one of said rollers to be pressed away from said drum partially While under pressure.

13. in an ironing machine, the combination with a frame, a drum, and pressure roll-- ers, of a pair of links for each. of said rollers pivoted to each other, one of said links pivoted to its roller and the other pivoted to said frame, links joining said pairs, a cylinder, a piston therein connected to said links,

said drum, and said links having; their ESQ means to admit fluid under ressure to said county of New York, and State of New piston for actuating said is to move said York, this 15th day of February, A D. 1913. 10

rollers away from and toward said drum, THERESA S. WENDELL,

and said links having their jointsyielding Administratriw of the estate 0f F red 05 5 to allow any one of sand rollers to be pressed Wendell.

away from said drum partially hile under Witnessesi pressure. CHAS. W. LA RUE, V

Signed at the city of New Yerk, in the 13.1mm 

